Matt yammers on about cartoonist MILTON CANIFF and lesser topics for the edification of millions.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

MILTON CANIFF NEWS

Volume 2 of Steve Canyon on DVD is now available! The 1958-59 TV series has been painstakingly restored and converted to digital by John Ellis and his loyal minions from the original films. Volume 2 includes episodes 13 - 24 of the TV series, as well as guest commentary tracks from aviation experts and guest stars from the show (like Richard Anderson). Leonard Nimoy fans take note. The future Mr. Spock appeared in episode 17, which hasn't been seen in over 50 years!

Steve Canyon: 1955 is now out from Checker BPG, and it's an exciting change. They have switched from the standard trade paperback format to a new square format. The big knock against the Checker reprints thus far (1942-51) has been the reprint size of the strips - 6" x 1 5/8". Now they have a little more breathing room at 8" x 2 3/8". It's a welcome change, and one I hope that's here to stay.

A large donation was recently made to the Cartoon Research Library & Museum, home of the Milton Caniff Collection. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that Jean Schulz, widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, has donated $1 million dollars. The donation goes towards the relocation and expansion of the Library from the Wexner Center to Sullivant Hall, both on the Ohio State University campus. Schulz is also offering a challenge where, if the library raises $2.5 million, she will match it. This is surprising to me, seeing as how she has her own museum to run. You can read the article here.

Facebook users have two ways to connect with other Milton Caniff fans. There's the Milton Caniff Fans group and the official Steve Canyon page. Each currently have fewer than 100 members. C'mon, gang, we can do better!

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an online digital archive of government comic books. These are the comic book equivalent of PSAs, the likes of which we don't see much anymore. The comics, many featuring familiar comic book and strip characters, educate readers on a variety of topics, from earthquake preparedness to the dangers of drugs. There are several Caniff items here, including -

Pocket Guide to China - issued by the War Department in 1943

Bullets or Words? - a short manual on psychological warfare, 1950s vintage

A Handbook for Auxiliary Fireman - 1941, has the same 4 pages of Caniff art from a similar pamphlet for Air Raid Wardens.